Post by Skaggs on Feb 23, 2005 12:59:49 GMT -5
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO BUYING A HIGH-DEFINITION TELEVISION
1. HOW BIG A SCREEN?
Don’t let cost alone drive your decision on screen size. Think about where you’ll be watching the TV. In general, the bigger the screen, the more room you’ll need—not only for the set itself but also for viewing distance, It you sit too close to any screen, you’ll see the picture elements (lines or pixels) that make up the images. When you’re shopping, step back from a TV until you can’t see distracting detail. That’s the minimum distance to strive for at home. With HD sets, allow at least 5 feet for a 36-inch or smaller set, 7 to 9 feet for larger screens.
The screen size you want may help narrow your technology choice. Don’t expect to find a traditional picture-tube TV with a screen larger than 36 inches or a rear-projection TV with a screen smaller than 40 inches.
Screen shape, or aspect ratio, has become almost moot. Most HD sets are 16:9 models, which are designed for the wide-screen format used by most high-definition TV broadcasts and movies on DVD. You’ll find squarish (4:3) screens only on some HD sets using picture-tube or LCD technology. We believe 16:9 screens are better for most buyers, because more TV programming will shift to wide-screen format as time goes on.
2. THICK OR THIN?
Big-screen TVs range from a few inches to a few feet deep, so you can opt for a set that’s svelte, stocky, or somewhere in between. In most cases, the thinner the profile, the fatter the price.
LCD and plasma flat-panel TVs are the trimmest and the priciest. No matter how large, these screens measure less than 6 inches thick, and they can be wall-mounted. Rear-projection models using LCD, DLP, or LCoS technology offer a middle ground for both size and price. Most of these sets are about 15 to 20 inches deep, though RCA recently introduced a 7-inch-deep set.
Rear-projection sets and traditional TVs using CRTs (cathode-ray tubes, which are commonly called picture tubes) are the bulkiest at about 24 to 30 inches deep. They’re also the cheapest. Traditional picture-tube sets that are about 15 inches deep or less are coming on the market. They are expected to cost a few hundred dollars more than heftier siblings. Floor space is an important consideration with bulkier TVs. The largest rear-projection sets can take up as much space as a loveseat. Even if such a behemoth fits in your room, you might not like the way it looks. Bear in mind that — any large TV will look more massive in your home than in a spacious showroom.
3. WHICH TYPE OF DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
PICTURE-TUBE (CRT) TVs
BEST CHOICE for a fairly big HD set at a fairly low price if the bulk doesn’t bother you.
Screen sizes: 26 to 36 inches.
Typical prices: About $800 for a 32-inch 4:3 set; $1,300 for a 34-inch wide-screen model. (Estimates are based on TVs in Ratings and prices advertised by major retailers in early January. Prices may have changed since.)
Pros: Mature technology with proven reliability and long life. The best sets have top-notch picture quality, with excellent detail, color, and contrast. No limit on viewing angle. Lowest price for HD.
Cons: Maximum screen size limited to 36 inches. Bulky, at 2 feet deep or more. Heavy, often 100 pouHDs or more.
LCD FLAT-PANEL TVs
BEST CHOICE for a smaller flat-screen set.
Screen sizes: 15 to 50-plus inches.
Typical prices: About $1,800 for a 26-inch wide-screen HD-ready set; $2,700 for a 32-inch TV. Prices could drop sharply soon.
Pros: Thin, light, sleek sets that can be wall-mounted. The best are capable of displaying very good, bright HD images. Maintain good contrast in bright lighting. No risk of screen burn-in.
Cons: Price goes up sharply as screens get bigger. Most sets can’t render deep black, and some can’t distinguish subtle shades of gray and black. Fast motion may blur. Viewing angle on some models may be limited. Reliability not yet known.
PLASMA FLAT-PANEL TVs
BEST CHOICE for a very big, very thin set.
Screen sizes: 32 to.60-plus inches. Typical prices About $4,000 for a 42-inch HD-ready set. Prices could drop sharply soon.
Pros: Thin, sleek sets that can be wall-mounted. The best are capable of displaying excellent HD images with high brightness and contrast and crisp detail. No limit on viewing angle. Bigger sizes are cheaper than LCD TVs of comparable size.
Cons: Shiny surface can produce annoying reflections. Brightness dims over time. Use a lot of power and generate a lot of heat. Fixed items displayed for long periods can leave ghosted image. Some sets don’t include a tuner or speakers. Reliability not yet known.
REAR PROJECTION TVs
BEST CHOICE for a Jumbo TV for less than the cost of a plasma set.
Screen sizes: 40 to 60-plus inches.
Typical prices: About $1,200 for 51-inch CRT-based HD-ready set; $3,000 for 50-inch LCD-based HD-ready set.
Pros: Lowest-cost jumbo screens. The best are capable of very good HD picture quality. CRT-based models are low-priced and generally reliable. Models using LCD, DLP, and LCoS technology are thinner than CRT sets.
Cons: Viewing angle on some models may be limited. CRT-based sets are big and heavy, and fixed items displayed for long periods can leave ghosted image. Shiny surface can produce annoying reflections. For LCD, DLP, and LCoS sets, reliability is not yet known, and lamp must be replaced periodically.
FRONT PROJECTORS
BEST CHOICE for video buffs who want a theater like experience on a giant screen and are willing to deal with a complex setup.
Screen sizes: Projector with a 9-by-12-inch or smaller footprint can be used with very large screens.
Typical price: $1,500 and up for HD projector only.
Pros: Picture size and characteristics most closely resemble a movie theater’s.
Cons: TV tuner and speakers not included. Screen affects picture quality and brightness. Some must be viewed in dim light. May require periodic lamp replacement. Professional installation for projector and screen can be costly.
4. WHY HD?
If you’re springing for a big-screen set, we recommeHD that you get digital, HD-capable model. Those sets have the highest native resolution— the number of picture elements the screen contains—so they can display the sharpest, most detailed images. Standand- definition TVs, the type we’ve watched for decades, display much less detail, With plasma TVs, you might want to consider an enhanced- definition (ED) model. This resolution is technically a step down from HD. but you might not notice the difference unless you’re up close, The best ED plasma sets we tested did well displaying HD content at a lower resolution, and they’re usually cheaper than true HD sets.
5. HD-READY OR BUILT-IN TUNER?
Some HD televisions contain a digital tuner that can receive HD signals, while others require an external digital tuner. Most HD sets on the market are HD-ready, meaning they need an external digital tuner—an HD cable or satellite box or a set-top box used with an antenna—to decode HD signals. They are the least expensive type of HD-capable TV.
Integrated HDTVs have built-in digital tuners. They can get broadcast HD programming—no ESPN or other cable or satellite channels—via antenna. To get HD via satellite or cable, most of these sets require a special cable box or satellite receiver, just as HD-ready sets do. Starting in July, all new TVs 36 inches and larger must have a built-in digital tuner to comply with a government ruling. Smaller sets must have a built-in digital tuner within a year or two.
Digital-cable-ready (DCR) TVs are a new type of integrated HDTV. They can not only get broadcast HD by antenna but also receive unencrypted digital-cable programming without using a box. For HD and premium cable programming, which is encrypted, you must insert a CableCard into a slot on the set. (Some cable companies encrypt all or most digital programming, so you may need a card for virtually everything.) These plug-and-play TVs cost more than other HDTVs, and you usually have to pay a few dollars a month to rent a card. Many of the integrated HDTVs coming out this year are digital-cable ready.
Bottom line: If you’re among the majority of consumers who get their HD via cable or satellite, you can save money by buying an HD-ready set while they’re still available in large sizes, An integrated set is a fine choice, but it will cost more. Don’t rush to buy a digital-cable-ready TV. Current CableCards are one-way, so they don’t provide an interactive program guide, video on demand, or pay-per-view ordering via the remote control. For those features, you’ll still need a cable box. Two-way CableCards should be out soon, but they won’t work with current DCR TVs. You might want to wait till second-generation DCR TVs are here.
1. HOW BIG A SCREEN?
Don’t let cost alone drive your decision on screen size. Think about where you’ll be watching the TV. In general, the bigger the screen, the more room you’ll need—not only for the set itself but also for viewing distance, It you sit too close to any screen, you’ll see the picture elements (lines or pixels) that make up the images. When you’re shopping, step back from a TV until you can’t see distracting detail. That’s the minimum distance to strive for at home. With HD sets, allow at least 5 feet for a 36-inch or smaller set, 7 to 9 feet for larger screens.
The screen size you want may help narrow your technology choice. Don’t expect to find a traditional picture-tube TV with a screen larger than 36 inches or a rear-projection TV with a screen smaller than 40 inches.
Screen shape, or aspect ratio, has become almost moot. Most HD sets are 16:9 models, which are designed for the wide-screen format used by most high-definition TV broadcasts and movies on DVD. You’ll find squarish (4:3) screens only on some HD sets using picture-tube or LCD technology. We believe 16:9 screens are better for most buyers, because more TV programming will shift to wide-screen format as time goes on.
2. THICK OR THIN?
Big-screen TVs range from a few inches to a few feet deep, so you can opt for a set that’s svelte, stocky, or somewhere in between. In most cases, the thinner the profile, the fatter the price.
LCD and plasma flat-panel TVs are the trimmest and the priciest. No matter how large, these screens measure less than 6 inches thick, and they can be wall-mounted. Rear-projection models using LCD, DLP, or LCoS technology offer a middle ground for both size and price. Most of these sets are about 15 to 20 inches deep, though RCA recently introduced a 7-inch-deep set.
Rear-projection sets and traditional TVs using CRTs (cathode-ray tubes, which are commonly called picture tubes) are the bulkiest at about 24 to 30 inches deep. They’re also the cheapest. Traditional picture-tube sets that are about 15 inches deep or less are coming on the market. They are expected to cost a few hundred dollars more than heftier siblings. Floor space is an important consideration with bulkier TVs. The largest rear-projection sets can take up as much space as a loveseat. Even if such a behemoth fits in your room, you might not like the way it looks. Bear in mind that — any large TV will look more massive in your home than in a spacious showroom.
3. WHICH TYPE OF DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
PICTURE-TUBE (CRT) TVs
BEST CHOICE for a fairly big HD set at a fairly low price if the bulk doesn’t bother you.
Screen sizes: 26 to 36 inches.
Typical prices: About $800 for a 32-inch 4:3 set; $1,300 for a 34-inch wide-screen model. (Estimates are based on TVs in Ratings and prices advertised by major retailers in early January. Prices may have changed since.)
Pros: Mature technology with proven reliability and long life. The best sets have top-notch picture quality, with excellent detail, color, and contrast. No limit on viewing angle. Lowest price for HD.
Cons: Maximum screen size limited to 36 inches. Bulky, at 2 feet deep or more. Heavy, often 100 pouHDs or more.
LCD FLAT-PANEL TVs
BEST CHOICE for a smaller flat-screen set.
Screen sizes: 15 to 50-plus inches.
Typical prices: About $1,800 for a 26-inch wide-screen HD-ready set; $2,700 for a 32-inch TV. Prices could drop sharply soon.
Pros: Thin, light, sleek sets that can be wall-mounted. The best are capable of displaying very good, bright HD images. Maintain good contrast in bright lighting. No risk of screen burn-in.
Cons: Price goes up sharply as screens get bigger. Most sets can’t render deep black, and some can’t distinguish subtle shades of gray and black. Fast motion may blur. Viewing angle on some models may be limited. Reliability not yet known.
PLASMA FLAT-PANEL TVs
BEST CHOICE for a very big, very thin set.
Screen sizes: 32 to.60-plus inches. Typical prices About $4,000 for a 42-inch HD-ready set. Prices could drop sharply soon.
Pros: Thin, sleek sets that can be wall-mounted. The best are capable of displaying excellent HD images with high brightness and contrast and crisp detail. No limit on viewing angle. Bigger sizes are cheaper than LCD TVs of comparable size.
Cons: Shiny surface can produce annoying reflections. Brightness dims over time. Use a lot of power and generate a lot of heat. Fixed items displayed for long periods can leave ghosted image. Some sets don’t include a tuner or speakers. Reliability not yet known.
REAR PROJECTION TVs
BEST CHOICE for a Jumbo TV for less than the cost of a plasma set.
Screen sizes: 40 to 60-plus inches.
Typical prices: About $1,200 for 51-inch CRT-based HD-ready set; $3,000 for 50-inch LCD-based HD-ready set.
Pros: Lowest-cost jumbo screens. The best are capable of very good HD picture quality. CRT-based models are low-priced and generally reliable. Models using LCD, DLP, and LCoS technology are thinner than CRT sets.
Cons: Viewing angle on some models may be limited. CRT-based sets are big and heavy, and fixed items displayed for long periods can leave ghosted image. Shiny surface can produce annoying reflections. For LCD, DLP, and LCoS sets, reliability is not yet known, and lamp must be replaced periodically.
FRONT PROJECTORS
BEST CHOICE for video buffs who want a theater like experience on a giant screen and are willing to deal with a complex setup.
Screen sizes: Projector with a 9-by-12-inch or smaller footprint can be used with very large screens.
Typical price: $1,500 and up for HD projector only.
Pros: Picture size and characteristics most closely resemble a movie theater’s.
Cons: TV tuner and speakers not included. Screen affects picture quality and brightness. Some must be viewed in dim light. May require periodic lamp replacement. Professional installation for projector and screen can be costly.
4. WHY HD?
If you’re springing for a big-screen set, we recommeHD that you get digital, HD-capable model. Those sets have the highest native resolution— the number of picture elements the screen contains—so they can display the sharpest, most detailed images. Standand- definition TVs, the type we’ve watched for decades, display much less detail, With plasma TVs, you might want to consider an enhanced- definition (ED) model. This resolution is technically a step down from HD. but you might not notice the difference unless you’re up close, The best ED plasma sets we tested did well displaying HD content at a lower resolution, and they’re usually cheaper than true HD sets.
5. HD-READY OR BUILT-IN TUNER?
Some HD televisions contain a digital tuner that can receive HD signals, while others require an external digital tuner. Most HD sets on the market are HD-ready, meaning they need an external digital tuner—an HD cable or satellite box or a set-top box used with an antenna—to decode HD signals. They are the least expensive type of HD-capable TV.
Integrated HDTVs have built-in digital tuners. They can get broadcast HD programming—no ESPN or other cable or satellite channels—via antenna. To get HD via satellite or cable, most of these sets require a special cable box or satellite receiver, just as HD-ready sets do. Starting in July, all new TVs 36 inches and larger must have a built-in digital tuner to comply with a government ruling. Smaller sets must have a built-in digital tuner within a year or two.
Digital-cable-ready (DCR) TVs are a new type of integrated HDTV. They can not only get broadcast HD by antenna but also receive unencrypted digital-cable programming without using a box. For HD and premium cable programming, which is encrypted, you must insert a CableCard into a slot on the set. (Some cable companies encrypt all or most digital programming, so you may need a card for virtually everything.) These plug-and-play TVs cost more than other HDTVs, and you usually have to pay a few dollars a month to rent a card. Many of the integrated HDTVs coming out this year are digital-cable ready.
Bottom line: If you’re among the majority of consumers who get their HD via cable or satellite, you can save money by buying an HD-ready set while they’re still available in large sizes, An integrated set is a fine choice, but it will cost more. Don’t rush to buy a digital-cable-ready TV. Current CableCards are one-way, so they don’t provide an interactive program guide, video on demand, or pay-per-view ordering via the remote control. For those features, you’ll still need a cable box. Two-way CableCards should be out soon, but they won’t work with current DCR TVs. You might want to wait till second-generation DCR TVs are here.